LGD – Leafs vs. Wings: The Real HockeyTown

The Leafs enter the second half of a back-to-back this evening with a road game in Detroit, and since their last matchup, the Wings have basically ripped the conference to shreds.

The Wings come into this game having won 8 of their last 10, one of those two losses being at the hands of these Leafs on November 22nd. 

Detroit now shares top spot in the conference with the Penguins with 39 points, six up on Toronto. The Leafs will try to keep their own little win-streak going and take a step towards breaking into that group of Montreal, Tampa, and Detroit atop the Atlantic. Currently the gap after Montreal is five points, but the Leafs hold three games in hand.

Leafs lines via DailyFaceoff.com

van Riemsdyk-Young Center-Kessel

Winnik-The Dream-Santorelli

Lupul-Holland-Clarkson

Booth-Smith-Panik

Phaneuf-Franson

Gardiner-Holzer

Rielly-Robidas

Stuart Percy was recalled from the Marlies just a few hours ago, but as of now there’s no confirmation that he will replace anyone in the lineup for tonight’s game.

Wings lines via DailyFaceoff.com

Nyquist-Zetterberg-Jurco

Tatar-Datsyuk-Helm

Franzen-Sheahan-Weiss

Miller-Glendening-Andersson

Ericsson-Kronwall

Quincey-Dekeyser

Smith-Kindl

It’s obvious that the Wings present a bit of a tough task with a fully healthy lineup, as Datsyuk and Weiss are now in after missing time this season. The Leafs will certainly have their hands full, especially on the road as a tired team.

Howard (.917 sv%) is confirmed to start for the Wings, and Reimer appears to be the guy for the Leafs as Bernier got the win last night.